The B&R Fund

In recognizing the importance and privilege of being welcomed into communities wherever we go, we’ve established the B&R Fund. As passionate travellers, we want to do our part to protect the world’s cultural heritage and promote the health of vibrant living cultures. We are often reminded just how fortunate we are to be able to interact with cultures from all corners of the globe, and the B&R Fund was created to celebrate and support the unique communities we explore on our trips.

Global in scope, local in impact, the Fund supports innovative projects spearheaded by exceptional individuals. The projects we select strongly reflect the regions that inspire them and are built around the idea of giving something back to the local communities.

Financial support is merely the point of departure. The relationship between B&R and the grant recipients varies depending on the project. Our collaboration efforts include activities such as contributing to the trip planning process and participating in fundraising.

THE B&R FUND IN BURMA

In 2011 we were excited about B&R returning to Myanmar (Burma). The relationships that George and Martha Butterfield created on their trip in 2007 allowed us to continue our work with the Global Community Service Foundation. B&R has a long history in Inlé Lake and one of our guides was so moved by the people of Burma that he coordinated the house building efforts with the GCSF.

Together with the GCSF, B&R supported the construction of five homes in Inlé Lake—with enough funds reserved to build several more next season. The families living in these new homes also received other necessities such as clothing, battery-operated lights, water filters and stationery for children.

GOOD WORKS: THE B&R FUND PARTNERS WITH WORLDREADER

In 2011 B&R created a new partnership with Worldreader—an exciting new charity that leverages the latest technological advances in publishing. Worldreader gives kids in the developing world access to digital books. Using e‑readers loaded with thousands of local and international e-books, they provide children with the books they want and need, so they can improve their lives. B&R’s donation to Worldreader provided enough funding to supply four schools in Ghana & Kenya with 400 ruggedized e-readers with at least 100 local and international books.

THE B&R FUND IN PERU

On our trips to Peru, our guides brought to our attention the efforts of Marie Helene, general manager of the Sol y Luna Hotel in the Sacred Valley (a familiar name for some B&R travellers who have done our Peru Walking trip), who has built a school for local children.

Located next to the hotel, the school is the first of its kind in the valley and offers a progressive curriculum. Inspired by Marie Helene’s vision, the B&R Fund committed financial support to the school materials. Additional contributions occur for every traveller on our Peru Walking trip, with these funds directed towards the purchase of books, sports equipment and other school supplies. Naturally, we have reserved time on our itinerary to introduce travellers to this exciting project in person, should they wish to see it.

PAST PROJECTS

Morocco: Supporting Education For All

B&R’s donation helped EFA build and operate schools in the High Atlas Mountains, making education accessible to girls in the nearby villages. For more information please visit www.efamorocco.org.

South Africa

B&R donated 10 bikes to senior students at Qhayiya High School. The students are contracted to take year-long responsibility for the bicycles. The intention is to reduce absenteeism days, teach accountability and experience the joy of having a great bike to ride.

Laos: Regional Artisan Grants

The B&R Fund made a donation to Big Brother Mouse, a Lao-based project that publishes books for all ages. Until now, few books were published in Laotian. Big Brother Mouse gives hands-on experience to young people as they learn new skills: writing, editing, translating, desktop publishing, business and organizing events. We also made a donation to support the creation of the book Beautiful Luang Prabang—an ongoing project supporting local writers and artists to travel through Laos to write a book about the local culture.